Kahlil Bell spent a few weeks with the Vikings before the start of the 2009 season and got a taste of playing behind Chester Taylor.
Now that Taylor has arrived in Chicago, Bell would welcome the opportunity to be his understudy once again.
"I think Chester Taylor has had a great career, and he's been in this league a long time now," Bell said. "We're kind of young at the running back position, and he brings that experience. I'm just looking forward to learning some things from him -- hopefully."
Photo: Kahlil Bell hopes he still figures in the Bears' backfield with Matt Forte and Chester Taylor. (Jose M. Osorio/Tribune)
Bell understands his status with the Bears is not guaranteed, with Matt Forte and Taylor set to carry the bulk of the load in 2010. Offensive coordinator Mike Martz already labeled Forte and Taylor co-starters, and the addition of Taylor resulted in the release of veteran Kevin Jones on Tuesday.
The Bears had intentions to carry four running backs on the 53-man roster last season before Jones got hurt in the preseason. Bell, an undrafted rookie from UCLA, was promoted from the practice squad in November after Garrett Wolfe was placed on injured reserve with a lacerated kidney. The Bears finished the season with three running backs on the 53-man roster: Forte, Bell, and Adrian Peterson.
Bell emerged as Forte's backup at the end of the season. If Bell wanted to make a case for sticking around this year, he could point to the 72-yard run he broke off on his first career carry, a franchise-rookie record. Or he could point to his 5.5 yards per carry on 40 attempts in just seven games.
"I can control what happens," Bell said of his future. "I'm just going to go out and keep doing what I've been doing my whole life. I'm just going to go out and work hard and try to make an impact on the football field wherever I can.
"I think a lot of people don't know this, but I do feel I have the ability to be a good route-runner out of the backfield. I think I can block fairly well, and I'm getting better at it. At the same time, the game is the game. Whatever offense we're in, I'm going to try to apply my skill set and be successful."
There's always the possibility of drafting another running back to add to the mix, but if a roster spot comes down to Bell and Wolfe, special teams could give Wolfe an advantage.
Bell is willing to contribute on special teams, too.
"As much as you can do as a football player -- not just as a running back -- makes you that much more valuable to your team," Bell said. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to carry the ball 25 times a game. Everybody wants that. But at the same time, we're all football players. If we have to go down and make a tackle on kickoff, then that's what we have to do.
"Whatever they ask me to do, that's what I'll do.''
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chitown,
Not so much what I see in Ta'ufo'ou as what I don't see in McKie. I just don't think he fits, and unless we are going all TE and no FB, we need to either bring in a blocking guy, or hope Williams can block.
I don't think we can carry 4 RBs on the roster for game day because of Martz' offense combined with our defense. We need at least 8 DL every game, probably 6 WRs, and likely we will be running with 7 LBs. You add in at least 3 TEs, 8-9 OL, and we are already in the low 30s. Count the 8-10 DBs, and that is low 40s. 2 QBs, and 3 RBs, and that's your gameday roster.
I think they will go 3 deep at RB, and put someone on the practice squad that they bring in as an undrafted free agent to develop, since Taylor may only be around for a couple of years.
Everyone's trying to run Garrett Wolfe out of town.....LOL...this guy was solid on special teams and suffered a major injury last season trying to help the team win....Tell me Joe what do you see in Ta'ufo'ou that makes him so great, what will he contribute to the team next season, can he fill Wolfe's role on special teams, I bet Toub who everyone seems to be in LOVE with will have something to say about wolfe being on the team next season, his track record as a coach is impeccable and I see him having more to say about who is on the roster than the bloggers.....
As for Bell I like him and believe he would have been a good back-up even if we did not sign Taylor. I don't see him going anywhere either at this point. Obviously, the FB position is up for competition this season and camp will be interesting for sure in that area, there and guard will be points of emphasis on offesne in camp.....Look for Lance Louis to make a push at LG, he can run and has size...tice is probably in the guys living room right now looking at film.....GO BEARS
mrmick i like your comment about releasing the 4 guys you were talking about and signing O.J Otogwe we need a guy like him he's a version of shaun gayle or todd bell a ball hawk and will hit you in the mouth that's bear football that's what the bears is missing BEAR football not Tampa or ram football 85,89 92 02 BEAR football run it down your throat knock you out with big hits that's what they are missing someone need to tale coach Lovie play more BEar type football.
I think Bell would be the right replacement for Peterson on special teams, and I think you can find someone to take Wolfe's spot on punt and kick coverage (I am thinking Iglesias, who has similar game speed, bigger size, and if I remember, he did play gunner at Oklahoma as an underclassman).
I would rather keep an extra LB, or keep 2 FBs (Williams and Ta'ufo'ou) that both should contribute on special teams. Odds are we will only use the FB in the split formation shotgun, and short yardage. No reason you wouldn't put both of them in all phases of special teams. You in the two FBs, Bell, Iglesias, Shaw, and Malast (my choice for replacing McClover), and you have a solid 6 guys for special teams. Payne and Afalava makes 8, and Izzy, Melton, and Gilbert is 11, and that's not even counting the return guys in Manning, Knox, and Hester. We can have a strong special teams rotation out of the gate for coverage teams, and we should be at or near the top of the league again under Toub.
With regard to Taylor, he should be a big help to Bell and Forte, showing them the way a professional RB prepares for games, and how they practice, and how to read what the defense is doing. This is a win-win for the Bears. We get an experienced quality back with low mileage to play, and a mentor for inexperienced backs that have some potential.
I hope Bell sticks with the Bears, he has already shown more than Wolfe in his breif appearance last year. Let Wolfe, Mckie, Vasher and D.J.Moore go, and use the money to sign O.J.Otogwe !